We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more.

U-Pack Review | Moving Companies

U-Pack is a highly-rated moving company for the budget-conscious consumer. Those who like control of packing and loading will appreciate U-Pack’s DIY approach. Pack yourself, lock up your belongings, and take the key. Get your cube delivered to your new address. And save a bundle while you’re at it.

Service Area: 50 states

Can Pack For You: No

Deposit: None

Licensing: USDOT 914011

Does well:

Could improve:

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
Congratulations on your new home! Now, let a Moving Company do the heavy lifting.
Move into your new home with zero hassle by hiring a Moving Company. They'll make sure everything gets there safely. Click on your state and get the ball rolling today.
HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas
Get an Estimate

What We Think About U-Pack

When we saw the 4.05 stars out of 5 for U-Pack on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), we were intrigued.

Most moving companies are lucky to get three stars because, let’s face it, most people only leave reviews when they are upset.

As it turns out, people really like U-Pack’s model. It all but removes surprises from the process. From pricing to timing, you know what you’re getting with U-Pack.

First, self-packing is popular. While it’s more work, strangers aren’t entering your home or accidentally banging your grandmother’s hope chest against the doorjamb. You load U-Pack’s “ReloCube®” yourself, lock it up, and keep the key. No one has access to your things during the entire journey.

Second, pricing is simple. You pay by container and only pay for what you use. The company even encourages you to reserve more containers than you need. You don’t pay for any unused cubes.

If cubes aren’t enough, you can reserve a trailer. In this scenario, you pay by linear foot. If you use 15 linear feet (U-Pack trailers are 28 feet long), you pay for only 15 feet. Trailers are 8x9 feet, so you can cram a lot of items in one linear foot. When you’re done packing, lock a dividing wall in place. Again, no one has access to your part of the trailer.

A semi comes and picks up your cubes or trailer and delivers it to your new residence. You unpack. It’s that simple.

This DIY approach can save you serious money. One customer reported saving about $10,000 over a full-service moving company for a 2,500-mile move. What’s more, this same user raved about customer service, despite rescheduling four times due to home sale challenges.

This model resonates with many customers so much that you have to do some significant digging on BBB’s website to find a negative review. The rare bad review did reveal some downsides.

U-Pack Downsides

U-Pack is about the closest thing to a perfect moving company that we’ve come across. Still, some customers had issues.

One customer would have needed to hire a second moving company for the last leg of the journey because U-Pack did not deliver to his future address. He ended up booking a regular moving company that could perform the job door to door.

There were two reports of porous cubes. One customer reported a cockroach infestation upon receiving the cube. Another reported water damage. While the cubes are supposed to be watertight, the company needs to do a better job of regular inspections. Base coverage is only 10 cents per pound, which likely isn’t enough to replace damaged items. Still, these reports were few and far between, indicating this is not a widespread problem.

The company also does not perform local moves. Find a reputable local mover if you’re just moving a short distance.

U-Pack Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Transparent, predictable pricing
  • Pay only for what you use
  • Customers report superior service
  • Better privacy and security than full-service movers
  • Supports moves to Canada and Puerto Rico
Cons
  • No local moves
  • Must pack within a 3-day window
  • Does not pick up and deliver everywhere
  • Inadequate base property coverage
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
Your move should be easy and stress-free, no matter the distance or size.
Receive a custom quote from a Moving Company today that's designed to meet your needs and budget by clicking below.
Get an Estimate

U-Pack Services

Container Moves

As its name suggests, U-Pack’s model is all about self-packing. You pack up a container or trailer and the company moves it to the new location. It’s that simple.

Long Distance Moving

The company only performs long-distance moves. It uses its network of 240 service centers to deliver your cube or trailer to most locations within all 50 states, plus Canada and Puerto Rico.

Referrals to packing/loading companies

If self-packing isn’t your thing, but you like U-Pack’s model, the company can refer you to local packing services. You can hire a separate company to pack up your home into the ReloCubes or trailer, then hire another company to unpack at the new destination. U-Pack can help you source this labor.

Additional Services

How Much Does U-Pack Cost?

Cost is where U-Pack really shines. That’s the whole point of DIY, right? As mentioned above, one customer reported saving $10,000 on a 2,500-mile move using U-Pack instead of a full-service company. That certainly got our attention.

According to the company, it costs around $2,500 to move one ReloCube door to door. Each ReloCube is 308 cubic feet, measuring 5’ 10” long x 6’ 10” wide x 7’ 9” high on the inside. You will need about one ReloCube for each room in the home.

Here are quotes from U-Pack’s website for a 1,700-mile move. Compared to full-service movers, the company is quite affordable.

Home Size/Transport Option Cost for 1,700-mile move
One Bedroom/ReloCube $2,300
One Bedroom/Trailer $2,700
Three Bedroom/ReloCube $5,900
Three Bedroom/Trailer $5,300

If you want to save even more, here are tips:

Service center delivery. Choose to have your ReloCube delivered to a U-Pack service center instead of the exact address. This could save hundreds of dollars, according to U-Pack.

Use discount codes. Book online and get a $25 discount. Use coupon code BLOG25 for an additional $25 discount. Look around for other discount codes for your situation (military, time of year, etc.)

Reserve more cubes than you need. You are not charged extra for cubes that you don’t use. But if you run out of space, you’ll be charged a delivery fee for the company to drop off extra cubes.

Getting a U-Pack Quote

You can get a fast and free quote online at U-Pack’s website. Just enter your starting and ending locations and the size of your home. Some quotes will require a manual review, so be prepared to enter your email address and be contacted by a rep.

U-Pack Vs. Other Moving Companies

Company Money Rating BBB Rating Can Pack For You Deposit State Availability
United Van Lines Best Full Value Protection A+ Yes None 46 states
JK Moving Services Best Full-Service Packing A+ Yes $250 50 states
North American Van Lines Most Predictable Pricing A+ Yes Up to 50% 50 states
International Van Lines Most Flexible Mover B Yes 25% 50 states
U-Pack Best DIY Mover A+ No None 50 states
American Van Lines Best for High-Value Moves A Yes 10-50% 48 states
Moving APT Best Moving Broker B Yes Required, amount varies 50 states
Mayflower Transit Best Technology A+ Yes None 50 states

U-Pack FAQ

Is U-Pack a reputable company?

U-Pack is licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and has been in business since 1997. It has an A+ rating with the BBB.

What is the relationship between U-Pack and ABF?

You can think of U-Pack as the moving company that organizes logistics, and ABF Freight as the company providing the actual transportation. The two companies have been partnering for 20 years.

Is U-Pack licensed?

U-Pack is licensed with the FMCSA under USDOT 914011 as a freight forwarder, meaning it uses a separate company, typically ABF Freight, to actually move your items, although U-Pack oversees and arranges the moves.

How big is a U-Pack ReloCube?

Each ReloCube moving container has an internal size of 308 cubic feet, about big enough to hold one room’s worth of furniture and items. Internal dimensions are 5’ 10” long x 6’ 10” wide x 7’ 9” high. External dimensions are 6' 3” (length) x 7' (width) x 8' 4” (height).

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
Let a Moving Company handle the heavy lifting as you move into your new home
They can help handle fragile items, delicate furniture, and even the most challenging belongings with precision and care. Click below to get a free quote today.
Get an Estimate

Should You Use U-Pack For Your Move?

If you’re a budget-conscious and hands-on person, U-Pack is a fantastic moving option. Those seeking more control over the moving experience will love this service as well, since you oversee packing and loading, and can lock up your belongings for the duration of the move. Get a quote from U-Pack to see how much you can save over the traditional full-service mover.

Learn More

Research Other Moving Companies

Our Methodology

At Money.com, we prioritize providing our readers with thorough, trustworthy reviews.

In order to give you the best recommendations for moving companies, we’ve reviewed more than a dozen companies using these metrics:

Tags